Enforcement
The Environmental Services Department’s Enforcement Program consists of 2 units. One unit, called the Non-Permitted
Regulated Compliance (NPRC) unit, is responsible for enforcing the Health Code as it relates to sources that are not permitted by
regulation. Examples of case types investigated by NPRC are: illegal dumping, bed bugs, sewage, and Smoke Free Arizona. The other
unit, Permitted Regulated Compliance, is responsible for enforcing the Health Code as it relates to sources that require permits by
regulation. Examples of case types processed by this unit are: food establishments, bathing places, school grounds, public
accommodations, and drinking water systems.
The Environmental Services Department uses one of the following methods of legal action to enforce the Environmental Health Code:
Cease and Desist Orders are issued for serious violations of the environmental health code. The
violation must be corrected immediately and a hearing may be requested. Disregarding the order will result in injunctive action in
Maricopa County Superior Court.
Citations or Notices to Appear (Class III Misdemeanors) are issued for violations of the health code.
The citation directs the defendant to appear for arraignment in Justice Court.
Compliance Orders are issued for violations of the environmental health code and an existing NOV.
The violation must be corrected within a specified timeframe and a hearing may be requested. Disregarding the order will result in
action in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Notices of Violation and Demands for Compliance (NOV) are issued for serious violations of the
environmental health code. The violation must be corrected within a specified timeframe and a hearing may be requested. Disregarding
the NOV will result in a Compliance Order being issued by the Department.
Permit Revocations may be initiated against a permitted facility/establishment that has not demonstrated
compliance or has been found in violation of any applicable code. Permit revocation may also be initiated against trailer parks, hotels,
semi-public swimming pools, and retail food establishments.
Permit Suspensions may occur immediately for serious environmental health code violations, which pose a
major health hazard. The facility/establishment would not be permitted to operate until a subsequent inspection shows the health hazard has
been removed and/or corrected.
Settlements or Stipulation Agreements are issued for violations of the environmental health code when a
serious hazard does not exist. A settlement or stipulation agreement would only be issued after one of the above noted enforcement actions
were initiated.
Legal Enforcement Policy of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code
Enforcement Contacts
Prior Enforcement Reports